For MySQL-only work and server administration, start with the official MySQL Workbench, now a new generation (26.7) that replaces the end-of-life 8.0 series. If you also use other databases, DBeaver Community is the free cross-platform choice and DataGrip the paid IDE (free for non-commercial use). On Windows, HeidiSQL is a free, open-source client with MariaDB support; on macOS, Sequel Ace is free and MIT licensed. Pick phpMyAdmin only when you need browser access, and dbForge Studio for MySQL or Navicat when you want commercial compare, sync and profiling tools.
A MySQL GUI tool lets you connect to a MySQL or MariaDB server, browse schemas, write and run SQL, edit rows in a grid and, in some tools, manage users, look at execution plans and move data. The tools below range from Oracle's own client to general database IDEs that treat MySQL as one engine among many.
Status change in 2026: Oracle's MySQL Workbench product page states that the new MySQL Workbench replaces earlier releases, which "have reached end of life and are no longer maintained", and that MySQL Shell for VS Code has been discontinued. If you still run Workbench 8.0, plan the move to the current release.
MariaDB is a separate engine with its own features; several tools document MariaDB explicitly and we say so per entry. Where a vendor does not mention MariaDB, we do not assume support. For the engine choice itself, see MariaDB vs MySQL.
Quick picks
Oracle's own client, with Visual Explain, performance reports and user and grant management.
Open source (Apache 2.0), Windows, macOS and Linux, with MySQL and MariaDB alongside many other engines.
Free and open source, with MySQL and MariaDB user management, process list and table maintenance.
Documented Explain Plan and Explain Analyse for MySQL and MariaDB, plus refactoring-grade code assistance.
How we chose
Considered: MySQL Workbench, DBeaver, DataGrip, HeidiSQL, Navicat, dbForge Studio for MySQL, phpMyAdmin, TablePlus, Beekeeper Studio, Sequel Ace and SQLyog.
Inclusion criteria: the product is currently available and maintained according to its vendor; it connects to MySQL (MariaDB noted where documented); it offers a graphical SQL editor and data grid; and we could confirm its platforms, licence or price model and MySQL-relevant features on official pages. SQLyog is still offered by Webyog (with a 14-day trial of SQLyog Ultimate), but its product page did not give us enough current detail on platforms and versions to describe it accurately, so it is left out of this edition.
What was checked, not tested: vendor documentation, download pages, edition and pricing pages and release information, on 7 October 2026. The order below is not a ranking: the official tool comes first, then free multi-database tools, platform-specific clients and commercial products.
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Platforms | MySQL / MariaDB | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MySQL Workbench | Free (Community) | Windows, macOS, Linux | MySQL 8.4 and later | MySQL admin and development | Rebuilt in 2026; MariaDB not documented |
| DBeaver Community | Free (paid PRO editions) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Both | Several engines in one free tool | Visual Query Builder is in PRO editions |
| DataGrip | Paid (free non-commercial) | Windows, macOS, Linux | Both | Developers who want an IDE | Commercial use needs a subscription |
| HeidiSQL | Free | Windows, Linux, macOS (ARM64) | Both | Free lightweight client | No visual modelling or graphical explain |
| Navicat for MySQL | Paid (free Premium Lite) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS | Both | Commercial admin and sync | Full features cost money |
| dbForge Studio for MySQL | Freemium | Windows (macOS, Linux via CrossOver) | Both | Windows teams wanting compare and profiling | Not native on macOS or Linux |
| phpMyAdmin | Free | Web (PHP server) | Both | Browser access to a server | Must be secured on the web server |
| TablePlus | Paid (limited free trial) | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS | Both | Fast everyday editing | Trial limits tabs, windows and filters |
| Beekeeper Studio | Freemium | Windows, macOS, Linux | Both | Simple open-source client | Community Edition intended for small organisations |
| Sequel Ace | Free | macOS 13.5+ | Both | Mac users on MySQL | macOS only, MySQL and MariaDB only |
MySQL Workbench
MySQL Workbench is Oracle's official GUI for MySQL. The download page lists version 26.7.0 for Windows, macOS, Debian and generic Linux. Oracle describes it as the next generation of the tool and states that it replaces earlier releases, which have reached end of life. Oracle's announcement describes 26.7 as a rebuild on top of MySQL Shell, supporting MySQL 8.4 LTS and newer (including the 9.7 LTS line and the 26.7 Innovation release); MySQL 8.0 and older end-of-life servers may work but are not officially supported.
MySQL-specific features (vendor documented): a Script Editor and SQL Notebooks, JavaScript and TypeScript alongside SQL, server status and configuration views, user and grant management, client connection inspection, Visual Explain and Visual Explain Analyze, Performance Reports for slow queries and table sizes, MySQL Enterprise Backup integration and the HeatWave Migration Assistant. The current product page does not list EER data modelling or the Migration Wizard, which the Workbench 8.0 manual documents; if you rely on either, confirm it is available in the new release before you switch.
Compare it with other clients in DBeaver vs MySQL Workbench, HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench and Navicat vs MySQL Workbench.
- MySQL only; Oracle does not document MariaDB as a supported server.
- The 2026 generation is a rebuild: EER modelling and the Migration Wizard are not listed on the current product page, and MySQL 8.0 servers are not officially supported.
- Some features, such as database documentation generation and Enterprise Backup, Audit and Firewall interfaces, relate to commercial MySQL editions.
DBeaver Community
DBeaver Community is free and open source under the Apache licence. Version 26.2.2 was current on the download page, with Windows (x86 and ARM), macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Linux packages; distributions bundle OpenJDK.
MySQL and MariaDB features (vendor documented): DBeaver lists MySQL and MariaDB among its supported databases and documents an SQL editor with autocomplete, a data editor, ER diagrams, execution plans, data import and export, and maintenance tasks. The paid PRO editions (Lite, Enterprise, Ultimate, Team) add a Visual Query Builder, NoSQL and cloud sources, a task scheduler and support.
See DBeaver vs MySQL Workbench and DBeaver vs HeidiSQL.
- A general-purpose tool, so it does not include MySQL-specific dashboards such as Workbench's Performance Reports.
- It is a Java application; the vendor documents memory settings for working with large result sets.
- Some convenience features, such as the Visual Query Builder, are only in paid editions.
DataGrip
DataGrip is JetBrains' database IDE. JetBrains offers it free for non-commercial use, with a 30-day trial and a subscription for commercial use. It runs on Windows 10 and 11, macOS and Linux, and bundles its own Java runtime.
MySQL and MariaDB features (vendor documented): the DataGrip 2026.2 documentation covers Explain Plan and Explain Analyse, plan diagrams and flame graphs, and lists MySQL and MariaDB among the engines whose query plans can be copied in native formats. Code completion is aware of tables, foreign keys and database objects, and the IDE integrates with Git.
See DBeaver vs DataGrip.
- Commercial use requires a paid subscription.
- JetBrains lists 8 GB of total RAM as a system requirement.
- It is a development IDE rather than a MySQL server administration console.
HeidiSQL
HeidiSQL is free, open-source software. Version 12.21 (3 August 2026) is offered as a Windows x64 installer and portable build, native Linux packages (deb, RPM, Flatpak and ARM64 builds) and an ARM64 macOS app, with a v13 preview for Windows. The Windows build is made with Delphi; Linux and macOS builds are compiled with Lazarus.
MySQL and MariaDB features (vendor documented): HeidiSQL supports MariaDB and MySQL (as well as SQL Server, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Interbase and Firebird), and lists editing of tables, views, stored routines, triggers and events, user privilege management, a process monitor, batch table maintenance such as optimise and repair, SQL export and file import and export in formats including CSV, JSON and XML.
See HeidiSQL vs MySQL Workbench.
- No visual data modelling or graphical explain plan is listed on the HeidiSQL site.
- Linux and macOS builds use a different toolkit from the Windows build, and the macOS download is ARM64 only (no Intel Mac build is listed).
- Community-supported; there is no paid support contract.
dbForge Studio for MySQL
Devart's dbForge Studio for MySQL comes in a free Express edition and paid Standard, Professional and Enterprise subscriptions. Devart explicitly documents MariaDB support and cloud services such as Amazon RDS and Azure Database for MySQL.
MySQL features by edition (vendor documented): Express includes the formatter, visual editors, Database Designer, import and export and Security and Session Managers. Standard adds a debugger, Query Profiler with execution plans, backup and recovery and a Visual Query Builder. Professional adds schema and data compare and sync and command-line automation; Enterprise adds source control, data generator and documenter.
- Native on Windows only; Devart supports macOS and Linux through a compatibility layer such as CodeWeavers CrossOver.
- Profiling, debugging and compare features need a paid edition.
phpMyAdmin
phpMyAdmin is free, open-source software written in PHP for administering MySQL and MariaDB over the web. Version 5.2.3 was the current release listed on the project site.
MySQL and MariaDB features (vendor documented): create, alter and drop databases and tables, user account and privilege management, SQL execution with bookmarks, import and export in formats including CSV, SQL and XML, multi-server administration, schema visualisation, query-by-example and global search.
- It must be installed and secured on a web server; an exposed admin panel is an attack surface.
- A browser interface suits administration more than heavy SQL development.
- No graphical explain plan is listed among its features.
TablePlus
TablePlus is a native client for macOS, Windows, Linux and iOS that connects to MySQL and MariaDB among other engines. It is sold as a perpetual, per-device licence with a year of updates; the free trial limits you to two open tabs, two windows and two advanced filters.
Features (vendor documented): inline editing of data and results, advanced filtering, a code review step for pending changes, safe mode for production connections, SQL import and export and an editor with autocomplete and formatting. See DataGrip vs TablePlus and DBeaver vs TablePlus.
- The TablePlus site does not list MySQL server administration features such as user management or performance dashboards.
- The free trial is restricted, so regular use needs a licence.
- Licences are per device.
Beekeeper Studio
Beekeeper Studio has a Community Edition under GPLv3 and paid plans. Its pricing page shows MySQL and MariaDB (and PostgreSQL and SQL Server) in every edition, including Community, and the vendor states feature parity across macOS, Windows and Linux. Import and export, backup and restore and editing of query results start at the paid Indie plan.
Features (vendor documented): SQL editor with autocomplete, spreadsheet-style table editing, a visual table creator, import and export (CSV, JSON, SQL, Excel), SSH tunnelling and SSL.
- Beekeeper states that the Community Edition is intended for individuals, students, non-profits and businesses with fewer than 10 employees and/or under $1m revenue; larger organisations are asked to buy a licence.
- No MySQL-specific administration or explain plan tools are listed.
Sequel Ace
Sequel Ace is a native macOS client, described by its maintainers as the sequel to Sequel Pro. It is open source under the MIT licence and installs from the Mac App Store or Homebrew. It runs on Intel and Apple Silicon Macs with macOS 13.5 or later.
Engine support (vendor documented): MySQL 5.7 or later and MariaDB 10.0 or later. It is a focused query and data-editing client rather than an administration suite.
- macOS only.
- MySQL and MariaDB only.
- No data modelling or graphical explain plan features are listed.
How to choose
Only MySQL, and you administer the server: MySQL Workbench, because it is the official tool and documents user, configuration and performance features. MariaDB: choose a tool that documents it, such as HeidiSQL, DBeaver, DataGrip, Navicat, dbForge or Sequel Ace.
Several engines: DBeaver Community if cost matters, DataGrip if you want a full IDE, TablePlus or Beekeeper Studio if you mainly browse and edit. Browser access: phpMyAdmin, secured behind authentication and ideally not exposed publicly.
For other engines see the best PostgreSQL GUI tools and best SQL Server GUI tools. If you are new to SQL, our SQL exercises work in any of these clients.
Frequently asked questions
What is the official GUI tool for MySQL?
MySQL Workbench, from Oracle. The current generation (26.7.0 on the download page in October 2026) replaces the Workbench 8.0 series, which Oracle says has reached end of life.
Is MySQL Workbench still maintained?
Yes, in its new generation. Oracle states that the new MySQL Workbench replaces earlier releases, which are end of life and no longer maintained, and that MySQL Shell for VS Code has been discontinued. Oracle's announcement says Workbench 26.7 supports MySQL 8.4 LTS and newer; MySQL 8.0 may work but is not officially supported.
Which MySQL GUI tools support MariaDB?
Among the tools here, HeidiSQL, DBeaver, DataGrip, Navicat for MySQL, dbForge Studio for MySQL, phpMyAdmin, TablePlus, Beekeeper Studio and Sequel Ace all document MariaDB support. Oracle does not document MariaDB for MySQL Workbench.
What is a good free MySQL GUI for Mac?
Sequel Ace is free, MIT licensed and native to macOS 13.5 or later. DBeaver Community and MySQL Workbench are free cross-platform alternatives that also run on macOS.
Is phpMyAdmin safe to use?
It is maintained open-source software, but because it runs on a web server it must be kept updated and protected with authentication and network restrictions. A desktop client avoids exposing an admin interface on the web.
Sources
- MySQL Workbench product page (Oracle)
- MySQL Workbench downloads
- Introducing MySQL Workbench 26 (Oracle MySQL blog)
- HeidiSQL downloads
- MySQL Workbench manual (8.0 series)
- DBeaver Community download page
- DBeaver editions
- DataGrip query execution plan documentation
- HeidiSQL website
- Navicat for MySQL
- Navicat Premium Lite
- dbForge Studio for MySQL
- phpMyAdmin website
- TablePlus pricing
- Beekeeper Studio pricing
- Sequel Ace on GitHub
Checked October 2026.
How we research these guides: our editorial method.